Credit Acceptance Announces First Quarter 2017 Earnings

| Source: Credit Acceptance Corporation Credit Acceptance Corporation

Southfield, Michigan, May 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Credit Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: CACC) (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) today announced consolidated net income of $93.3 million, or $4.72 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to consolidated net income of $74.4 million, or $3.63 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016.

Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $92.3 million, or $4.67 per diluted share, compared to $82.3 million, or $4.02 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016.

Webcast Details

We will host a webcast on May 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to answer questions related to our first quarter results.  The webcast can be accessed live by visiting the “Investor Relations” section of our website at creditacceptance.com or by dialing 877-303-2904.  Additionally, a replay and transcript of the webcast will be archived in the “Investor Relations” section of our website.


Consumer Loan Metrics

Dealers assign retail installment contracts (referred to as “Consumer Loans”) to Credit Acceptance. At the time a Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan. Based on the amount and timing of these forecasts and expected expense levels, an advance or one-time purchase payment is made to the related dealer at a price designed to maximize economic profit, a non-GAAP financial measure that considers our return on capital, our cost of capital and the amount of capital invested.

We use a statistical model to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment. We continue to evaluate the expected collection rate of each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment. Our evaluation becomes more accurate as the Consumer Loans age, as we use actual performance data in our forecast. By comparing our current expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan with the rate we projected at the time of assignment, we are able to assess the accuracy of our initial forecast. The following table compares our forecast of Consumer Loan collection rates as of March 31, 2017, with the forecasts as of December 31, 2016 and at the time of assignment, segmented by year of assignment:

  Forecasted Collection Percentage as of (1) Current Forecast Variance From
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Initial
Forecast		 December 31, 2016 Initial
Forecast
2008 70.4% 70.4% 69.7% 0.0% 0.7%
2009 79.4% 79.4% 71.9% 0.0% 7.5%
2010 77.6% 77.6% 73.6% 0.0% 4.0%
2011 74.7% 74.7% 72.5% 0.0% 2.2%
2012 73.8% 73.7% 71.4% 0.1% 2.4%
2013 73.4% 73.4% 72.0% 0.0% 1.4%
2014 71.7% 71.8% 71.8% -0.1% -0.1%
2015 65.8% 66.1% 67.7% -0.3% -1.9%
2016 65.3% 65.1% 65.4% 0.2% -0.1%
2017 64.9% —  64.0% —  0.9%

(1)   Represents the total forecasted collections we expect to collect on the Consumer Loans as a percentage of the repayments that we were contractually owed on the Consumer Loans at the time of assignment.  Contractual repayments include both principal and interest. Forecasted collection rates are negatively impacted by canceled Consumer Loans as the contractual amount owed is not removed from the denominator for purposes of computing forecasted collection rates in the table.

Consumer Loans assigned in 2009 through 2013 have yielded forecasted collection results materially better than our initial estimates, while Consumer Loans assigned in 2015 have yielded forecasted collection results materially worse than our initial estimates. For Consumer Loans assigned in 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2017, actual results have been close to our initial estimates. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, forecasted collection rates improved for Consumer Loans assigned in 2016 and 2017, declined for Consumer Loans assigned in 2015 and were generally consistent with expectations at the start of the period for all other assignment years presented.

The dollar amount of changes in forecasted collections, net of changes in forecasted dealer holdback payments, is as follows:

(In millions) For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Increase (decrease) in forecasted net cash flows 2017 2016
Dealer loans $(3.4) $(9.6)
Purchased loans 11.5  2.9 
Total loans $8.1  $(6.7)



The following table presents information on the average Consumer Loan assignment for each of the last ten years:

  Average
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year Consumer Loan (1) Advance (2) Initial Loan Term (in months)
2008 $14,518  $6,479  42
2009 12,689 5,565 38
2010 14,480 6,473 41
2011 15,686 7,137 46
2012 15,468 7,165 47
2013 15,445 7,344 47
2014 15,692 7,492 47
2015 16,354 7,272 50
2016 18,218 7,976 53
2017 19,416 8,337 54

(1)     Represents the repayments that we were contractually owed on Consumer Loans at the time of assignment, which include both principal and interest.

(2)     Represents advances paid to dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under our portfolio program and one-time payments made to dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our purchase program.  Payments of dealer holdback and accelerated dealer holdback are not included.

Forecasting collection rates accurately at loan inception is difficult.  With this in mind, we establish advance rates that are intended to allow us to achieve acceptable levels of profitability, even if collection rates are less than we initially forecast.

The following table presents forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, the spread (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate), and the percentage of the forecasted collections that had been realized as of March 31, 2017.  All amounts, unless otherwise noted, are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest).  The table includes both dealer loans and purchased loans.

  As of March 31, 2017
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year Forecasted
Collection %		 Advance % (1) Spread % % of Forecast
Realized (2)
2008 70.4% 44.6% 25.8% 99.6%
2009 79.4% 43.9% 35.5% 99.6%
2010 77.6% 44.7% 32.9% 99.2%
2011 74.7% 45.5% 29.2% 98.4%
2012 73.8% 46.3% 27.5% 97.2%
2013 73.4% 47.6% 25.8% 91.7%
2014 71.7% 47.7% 24.0% 79.5%
2015 65.8% 44.5% 21.3% 56.8%
2016 65.3% 43.8% 21.5% 25.2%
2017 64.9% 42.9% 22.0% 2.6%

(1)   Represents advances paid to dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under our portfolio program and one-time payments made to dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our purchase program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans.  Payments of dealer holdback and accelerated dealer holdback are not included.

(2)   Presented as a percentage of total forecasted collections.

The risk of a material change in our forecasted collection rate declines as the Consumer Loans age.  For 2013 and prior Consumer Loan assignments, the risk of a material forecast variance is modest, as we have currently realized in excess of 90% of the expected collections.  Conversely, the forecasted collection rates for more recent Consumer Loan assignments are less certain as a significant portion of our forecast has not been realized.

The spread between the forecasted collection rate and the advance rate has ranged from 21.3% to 35.5% over the last 10 years. The spread was at the high end of this range in 2009 and 2010, when the competitive environment was unusually favorable, and much lower during other years (2014 through 2017) when competition was more intense. The decline in the advance rate from 2016 to 2017 reflects the lower initial forecast on Consumer Loan assignments received in 2017, partially offset by an increase in purchased loans as a percentage of total unit volume. The increase in the spread from 2016 to 2017 was the result of the performance of 2017 Consumer Loans, which exceeded our initial estimates, partially offset by a change in the mix of Consumer Loan assignments received during 2017, including an increase in purchased loans as a percentage of total unit volume.


The following table compares our forecast of Consumer Loan collection rates as of March 31, 2017 with the forecasts at the time of assignment, for dealer loans and purchased loans separately:

  Dealer Loans Purchased Loans
  Forecasted Collection Percentage  as of   Forecasted Collection Percentage  as of  
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year March 31,
 2017		 Initial
Forecast		 Variance March 31,
 2017		 Initial
Forecast		 Variance
2008 70.8% 70.2% 0.6% 69.8% 68.8% 1.0%
2009 79.4% 72.1% 7.3% 79.6% 70.5% 9.1%
2010 77.7% 73.6% 4.1% 77.5% 73.1% 4.4%
2011 74.7% 72.4% 2.3% 75.2% 72.7% 2.5%
2012 73.8% 71.3% 2.5% 73.9% 71.4% 2.5%
2013 73.5% 72.1% 1.4% 73.1% 71.6% 1.5%
2014 71.6% 71.9% -0.3% 72.6% 70.9% 1.7%
2015 65.0% 67.5% -2.5% 70.0% 68.5% 1.5%
2016 64.3% 65.1% -0.8% 68.1% 66.5% 1.6%
2017 64.5% 63.7% 0.8% 65.9% 64.5% 1.4%

The following table presents forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, and the spread (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate) as of March 31, 2017 for dealer loans and purchased loans separately.  All amounts are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest).

  Dealer Loans Purchased Loans
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year Forecasted Collection % (1) Advance %  (1)(2) Spread % Forecasted Collection % (1) Advance %  (1)(2) Spread %
2008 70.8% 43.3% 27.5% 69.8% 46.7% 23.1%
2009 79.4% 43.4% 36.0% 79.6% 45.3% 34.3%
2010 77.7% 44.4% 33.3% 77.5% 46.2% 31.3%
2011 74.7% 45.2% 29.5% 75.2% 47.4% 27.8%
2012 73.8% 46.1% 27.7% 73.9% 47.6% 26.3%
2013 73.5% 47.1% 26.4% 73.1% 49.8% 23.3%
2014 71.6% 47.2% 24.4% 72.6% 51.3% 21.3%
2015 65.0% 43.4% 21.6% 70.0% 50.1% 19.9%
2016 64.3% 42.1% 22.2% 68.1% 48.5% 19.6%
2017 64.5% 41.6% 22.9% 65.9% 46.2% 19.7%

(1)   The forecasted collection rates and advance rates presented for each Consumer Loan assignment year change over time due to the impact of transfers between dealer and purchased loans.  Under our portfolio program, certain events may result in dealers forfeiting their rights to dealer holdback.  We transfer the dealer’s Consumer Loans from the dealer loan portfolio to the purchased loan portfolio in the period this forfeiture occurs.

(2)   Represents advances paid to dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under our portfolio program and one-time payments made to dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our purchase program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans.  Payments of dealer holdback and accelerated dealer holdback are not included.

Although the advance rate on purchased loans is higher as compared to the advance rate on dealer loans, purchased loans do not require us to pay dealer holdback.

The spread on dealer loans increased from 22.2% in 2016 to 22.9% in 2017 as a result of the performance of 2017 Consumer Loans in our dealer loan portfolio, which exceeded our initial estimates, while those assigned to us in 2016 declined from our initial estimates, partially offset by a change in the mix of Consumer Loan assignments.


Consumer Loan Volume

The following table summarizes changes in Consumer Loan assignment volume in each of the last five quarters as compared to the same period in the previous year:

  Year over Year Percent Change
Three Months Ended Unit Volume Dollar Volume (1)
March 31, 2016 21.1% 18.8%
June 30, 2016 15.1% 27.6%
September 30, 2016 12.0% 33.4%
December 31, 2016 -5.6% 7.8%
March 31, 2017 -6.6% 6.4%

(1)   Represents advances paid to dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under our portfolio program and one-time payments made to dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our purchase program.  Payments of dealer holdback and accelerated dealer holdback are not included.

Consumer Loan assignment volumes depend on a number of factors including (1) the overall demand for our product, (2) the amount of capital available to fund new loans, and (3) our assessment of the volume that our infrastructure can support.  Our pricing strategy is intended to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate, within the confines of capital and infrastructure constraints.

Unit volume declined 6.6% while dollar volume grew 6.4% during the first quarter of 2017 as the number of active dealers grew 4.8% while average volume per active dealer declined 11.0%. Dollar volume grew while unit volume declined during the first quarter of 2017 due to an increase in the average advance paid per unit. This increase was the result of an increase in the average size of the Consumer Loans assigned primarily due to an increase in the average initial loan term and an increase in purchased loans as a percentage of total unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in the average advance rate due to a decrease in the average initial forecast of the Consumer Loans assigned.

Our progress in growing unit volumes has slowed considerably over the last five quarters. For the most recent two quarters, unit volumes declined as compared to the same periods of the prior year. This trend reflects the difficulty of growing the number of active dealers fast enough to offset the impact of the competitive environment on attrition and per dealer volumes. In addition, in response to the decline in forecasted collection rates experienced in 2016, we adjusted our initial collection forecasts downward during 2016. While the adjustments have been modest, we believe these adjustments have had an adverse impact on unit volumes.

The following table summarizes the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active dealers:

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 % Change
Consumer Loan unit volume94,809  101,551  -6.6%
Active dealers (1)7,851  7,488  4.8%
Average volume per active dealer12.1  13.6  -11.0%
      
Consumer Loan unit volume from dealers active both periods72,288  82,794  -12.7%
Dealers active both periods4,945  4,945  — 
Average volume per dealer active both periods14.6  16.7  -12.7%
      
Consumer loan unit volume from dealers not active both periods22,521  18,757  20.1%
Dealers not active both periods2,906  2,543  14.3%
Average volume per dealer not active both periods7.7  7.4  4.1%

(1)   Active dealers are dealers who have received funding for at least one Consumer Loan during the period.

The following table provides additional information on the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active dealers:

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 % Change
Consumer Loan unit volume from new dealers4,949  5,742  -13.8%
New active dealers (1)965  1,043  -7.5%
Average volume per new active dealer5.1  5.5  -7.3%
      
Attrition (2)-18.5% -12.9%  

(1)   New active dealers are dealers who enrolled in our program and have received funding for their first dealer loan or purchased loan from us during the period.

(2)   Attrition is measured according to the following formula:  decrease in Consumer Loan unit volume from dealers who have received funding for at least one dealer loan or purchased loan during the comparable period of the prior year but did not receive funding for any dealer loans or purchased loans during the current period divided by prior year comparable period Consumer Loan unit volume.


The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us as dealer loans and purchased loans for each of the last five quarters:

  Unit Volume Dollar Volume (1)
Quarter Ended Dealer Loans Purchased Loans Dealer Loans Purchased Loans
March 31, 2016 82.4% 17.6% 75.6% 24.4%
June 30, 2016 77.8% 22.2% 69.8% 30.2%
September 30, 2016 76.2% 23.8% 68.5% 31.5%
December 31, 2016 76.9% 23.1% 71.1% 28.9%
March 31, 2017 73.3% 26.7% 67.8% 32.2%

(1)   Represents advances paid to dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under our portfolio program and one-time payments made to dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our purchase program.  Payments of dealer holdback and accelerated dealer holdback are not included.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the net dealer loans receivable balance was 72.6% and 74.6%, respectively, of the total net loans receivable balance.

Financial Results

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)2017 2016 % Change
GAAP average debt$2,732.8  $2,194.6  24.5%
GAAP average shareholders' equity1,169.5  950.9  23.0%
Average capital$3,902.3  $3,145.5  24.1%
GAAP net income$93.3  $74.4  25.4%
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding19,772,658 20,485,832 -3.5%
GAAP net income per diluted share$4.72  $3.63  30.0%

The increase in GAAP net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, was primarily the result of the following:

  • An increase in finance charges of 17.4% ($35.2 million) primarily due to growth in our loan portfolio.
  • An increase in provision for income taxes of 15.7% ($6.9 million) due to an increase in pre-tax income, partially offset by a decrease in the effective tax rate of 190 basis points. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the adoption of new accounting guidance on January 1, 2017, which reduced the current year provision for income taxes by $2.5 million for tax benefits related to our stock-based compensation plans.
  • An increase in operating expenses of 10.3% ($6.0 million) primarily due to:
    • An increase in salaries and wages expense of $2.8 million, or 8.6%, primarily related to an increase in the number of team members, including increases of $2.2 million for our servicing function and $0.6 million for our originations function.
    • An increase in general and administrative expense of $1.8 million, or 14.9%, primarily as a result of an increase in legal fees.
    • An increase in sales and marketing expense of $1.4 million, or 10.2%, primarily due to an increase in the size of our sales force.
  • An increase in interest expense of 24.9% ($5.5 million) due to an increase in the average outstanding debt balance due to debt proceeds used to fund the growth in Consumer Loan assignment volume and stock repurchases.
  • A decrease in provision for credit losses of 7.2% ($1.6 million) primarily due to Consumer Loan performance.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Consumer Loan performance was generally consistent with our expectations at the start of period.  For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Consumer Loan performance declined from our expectations at the start of period.

Adjusted financial results are provided to help shareholders understand our financial performance.  The financial data below is non-GAAP, unless labeled otherwise.  We use adjusted financial information internally to measure financial performance and to determine incentive compensation.  The table below shows our results following adjustments to reflect non-GAAP accounting methods.  Material adjustments are explained in the table footnotes and the subsequent “Floating Yield Adjustment” and “Senior Notes Adjustment” sections.  Measures such as adjusted average capital, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted net income plus interest expense after-tax, adjusted return on capital, adjusted revenue, operating expenses, and economic profit are all non-GAAP financial measures.  These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, include the following:

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)2017 2016 % Change
Adjusted average capital$3,979.3  $3,195.4  24.5%
Adjusted net income$92.3  $82.3  12.2%
Adjusted interest expense (after-tax)$17.9  $14.5  23.4%
Adjusted net income plus interest expense (after-tax)$110.2  $96.8  13.8%
Adjusted return on capital11.1% 12.1% -8.3%
Cost of capital5.2% 5.0% 4.0%
Economic profit$58.5  $56.6  3.4%
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding19,772,658 20,485,832 -3.5%
Adjusted net income per diluted share$4.67  $4.02  16.2%

Economic profit increased 3.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016.  Economic profit is a function of the return on capital in excess of the cost of capital and the amount of capital invested in the business.  The following table summarizes the impact each of these components had on the increase in economic profit for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016:

 Year over Year Change in Economic Profit
(In millions)For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Increase in adjusted average capital$13.9 
Increase in cost of capital(1.7)
Decrease in adjusted return on capital(10.3)
Increase in economic profit$1.9 


The increase in economic profit for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, was primarily the result of the following:

  • An increase in adjusted average capital of 24.5% due to growth in our loan portfolio primarily as a result of year-over-year growth in Consumer Loan assignment volume in recent years.
  • A decrease in our adjusted return on capital of 100 basis points primarily as a result of the following:
    • A decline in the yield on our loan portfolio decreased the adjusted return on capital by 130 basis points due to lower yields on more recent Consumer Loan assignments and a decline in Consumer Loan performance throughout 2016.
    • Slower growth in operating expenses increased the adjusted return on capital by 50 basis points as operating expenses grew 10.3% while adjusted average capital grew 24.5%.

The following table shows adjusted revenue and operating expenses as a percentage of adjusted average capital, the adjusted return on capital, and the percentage change in adjusted average capital for each of the last eight quarters, compared to the same period in the prior year:

  For the Three Months Ended 
  Mar. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Sept. 30, 2016 Jun. 30, 2016 Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Jun. 30, 2015 
Adjusted revenue as a percentage of adjusted average capital (1) 24.1% 24.4% 24.8% 25.0% 26.6% 27.0% 26.9% 27.2% 
Operating expenses as a percentage of adjusted average capital (1) 6.5% 5.7% 6.0% 6.2% 7.3% 6.6% 6.9% 7.0% 
Adjusted return on capital (1) 11.1% 11.7% 11.8% 11.9% 12.1% 12.8% 12.6% 12.7% 
Percentage change in adjusted average capital compared to the same period in the prior year 24.5% 28.2% 26.1% 27.1% 22.7% 24.5% 23.6% 18.4% 

(1)   Annualized

The decrease in our adjusted return on capital of 60 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, was primarily the result of an increase in operating expenses which decreased the adjusted return on capital by 50 basis points as operating expenses grew 16.4% while adjusted average capital grew 2.6%.  The 16.4% increase ($9.1 million) in operating expenses included:

  • An increase in salaries and wages expense of $4.2 million, or 13.4%, comprised of the following:
    • An increase of $2.9 million in salaries and wages expense, excluding payroll taxes, related to increases of $1.8 million for our servicing function, $0.7 million for our originations function and $0.4 million for our support function.
    • An increase of $1.3 million in payroll taxes as a result of the seasonal impact of both taxes that are subject to income limitations and the taxes on the annual vesting of equity awards during the first quarter of the year.

  • An increase in sales and marketing expense of $3.5 million, or 30.2%, primarily as a result of an increase in sales commissions driven by higher Consumer Loan assignment unit volume related to seasonality and an increase in the size of our sales force.
  • An increase in general and administrative expense of $1.4 million, or 11.2%, primarily as a result of an increase in legal fees.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures.  All after-tax adjustments are calculated using a 37% tax rate as we estimate that to be our long term average effective tax rate.  Certain amounts do not recalculate due to rounding.

  For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) Mar. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Sept. 30, 2016 Jun. 30, 2016 Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Jun. 30, 2015
Adjusted net income                
GAAP net income $93.3  $87.6  $85.9  $84.9  $74.4  $80.0  $74.0  $74.2 
Floating yield adjustment (after-tax) 2.0  8.2  6.8  4.8  8.3  4.5  5.1  2.1 
Senior notes adjustment (after-tax) (0.5) (0.6) (0.5) (0.5) (0.5) (0.5) (0.5) (0.5)
Adjustment to record taxes at 37% (2.5) 1.5  0.2  0.0  0.1  (0.7) 0.3  (0.3)
Adjusted net income $92.3  $96.7  $92.4  $89.2  $82.3  $83.3  $78.9  $75.5 
                 
Adjusted net income per diluted share (1) $4.67  $4.79  $4.53  $4.38  $4.02  $4.00  $3.77  $3.60 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 19,772,658 20,208,838 20,384,624 20,382,804 20,485,832 20,842,876 20,952,711 20,951,832
                 
Adjusted revenue                
GAAP total revenue $262.8  $256.2  $246.6  $238.5  $227.9  $217.8  $210.2  $203.1 
Floating yield adjustment 3.1  13.0  10.9  7.5  13.2  7.1  8.0  3.5 
Provision for credit losses (20.5) (27.4) (22.8) (17.9) (22.1) (13.6) (13.3) (8.0)
Provision for claims (6.0) (5.6) (6.6) (7.0) (6.8) (7.0) (8.4) (9.2)
Adjusted revenue $239.4  $236.2  $228.1  $221.1  $212.2  $204.3  $196.5  $189.4 
                 
Adjusted average capital                
GAAP average debt (2) $2,732.8  $2,635.4  $2,496.2  $2,445.4  $2,194.6  $2,046.4  $1,983.6  $1,928.1 
GAAP average shareholders' equity 1,169.5  1,172.2  1,121.6  1,036.1  950.9  934.7  893.0  815.9 
Deferred debt issuance adjustment (3) 17.1  17.4  16.8  16.2  16.2  17.7  17.9  17.8 
Senior notes adjustment 11.4  11.9  12.4  12.9  13.4  14.0  14.4  15.0 
Floating yield adjustment 48.5  40.5  32.6  25.1  20.3  12.4  8.1  4.4 
Adjusted average capital $3,979.3  $3,877.4  $3,679.6  $3,535.7  $3,195.4  $3,025.2  $2,917.0  $2,781.2 
                 
Adjusted revenue as a percentage of adjusted average capital (4) 24.1% 24.4% 24.8% 25.0% 26.6% 27.0% 26.9% 27.2%
                 
Adjusted interest expense (after-tax)                
GAAP interest expense $27.6  $26.2  $25.1  $24.3  $22.1  $21.1  $20.4  $19.6 
Senior notes adjustment 0.8  0.9  0.8  0.8  0.8  0.9  0.8  0.8 
Adjusted interest expense (pre-tax) 28.4  27.1  25.9  25.1  22.9  22.0  21.2  20.4 
Adjustment to record tax effect at 37% (10.5) (10.1) (9.5) (9.4) (8.4) (8.2) (7.9) (7.5)
Adjusted interest expense (after-tax) $17.9  $17.0  $16.4  $15.7  $14.5  $13.8  $13.3  $12.9 

(1)   Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly net income per share information may not equal year-to-date net income per share.

(2)       Amounts in prior year periods have been reclassified to reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, as amended by ASU No. 2015-15, which resulted in a reclassification of certain deferred debt issuance costs from other assets to GAAP average debt.

(3)   The deferred debt issuance adjustment reverses the impact of the reclassification of deferred debt issuance costs from other assets to GAAP average debt as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2015-03, as amended by ASU No. 2015-05. The net effect of this adjustment is to report adjusted average capital on the same basis as reported in our historical press releases.

(4)   Annualized


  For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions) Mar. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Sept. 30, 2016 Jun. 30, 2016 Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Jun. 30, 2015
Adjusted return on capital                
Adjusted net income $92.3  $96.7  $92.4  $89.2  $82.3  $83.3  $78.9  $75.5 
Adjusted interest expense (after-tax) 17.9  17.0  16.4  15.7  14.5  13.8  13.3  12.9 
Adjusted net income plus interest expense (after-tax) $110.2  $113.7  $108.8  $104.9  $96.8  $97.1  $92.2  $88.4 
                 
Reconciliation of GAAP return on equity to adjusted return on capital (4)                
GAAP return on equity (1) 31.9% 29.9% 30.6% 32.8% 31.3% 34.2% 33.1% 36.4%
Non-GAAP adjustments -20.8% -18.2% -18.8% -20.9% -19.2% -21.4% -20.5% -23.7%
Adjusted return on capital (2) 11.1% 11.7% 11.8% 11.9% 12.1% 12.8% 12.6% 12.7%
                 
Economic profit                
Adjusted return on capital 11.1% 11.7% 11.8% 11.9% 12.1% 12.8% 12.6% 12.7%
Cost of capital (3) (4) 5.2% 5.1% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.2% 5.2% 5.0%
Adjusted return on capital in excess of cost of capital 5.9% 6.6% 7.0% 7.0% 7.1% 7.6% 7.4% 7.7%
Adjusted average capital $3,979.3  $3,877.4  $3,679.6  $3,535.7  $3,195.4  $3,025.2  $2,917.0  $2,781.2 
 Economic profit $58.5  $64.3  $64.5  $61.4  $56.6  $57.4  $54.2  $53.4 
                 
Reconciliation of GAAP net income
to economic profit		                
GAAP net income $93.3  $87.6  $85.9  $84.9  $74.4  $80.0  $74.0  $74.2 
Non-GAAP adjustments (1.0) 9.1  6.5  4.3  7.9  3.3  4.9  1.3 
Adjusted net income 92.3  96.7  92.4  89.2  82.3  83.3  78.9  75.5 
Adjusted interest expense (after-tax) 17.9  17.0  16.4  15.7  14.5  13.8  13.3  12.9 
Adjusted net income plus interest expense (after-tax) 110.2  113.7  108.8  104.9  96.8  97.1  92.2  88.4 
Less: cost of capital 51.7  49.4  44.3  43.5  40.2  39.7  38.0  35.0 
Economic profit $58.5  $64.3  $64.5  $61.4  $56.6  $57.4  $54.2  $53.4 
                 
Operating expenses                
GAAP salaries and wages $35.5  $31.3  $32.4  $30.1  $32.7  $28.9  $28.6  $28.5 
GAAP general and administrative 13.9  12.5  11.0  12.6  12.1  9.8  9.8  9.1 
GAAP sales and marketing 15.1  11.6  12.2  11.9  13.7  11.4  11.9  10.9 
Operating expenses $64.5  $55.4  $55.6  $54.6  $58.5  $50.1  $50.3  $48.5 
                 
Operating expenses as a percentage of adjusted average capital (4) 6.5% 5.7% 6.0% 6.2% 7.3% 6.6% 6.9% 7.0%
                 
Percentage change in adjusted average capital compared to the same period in the prior year 24.5% 28.2% 26.1% 27.1% 22.7% 24.5% 23.6% 18.4%

(1)   Calculated by dividing GAAP net income by GAAP average shareholders' equity.

(2)   Adjusted return on capital is defined as adjusted net income plus adjusted interest expense (after-tax) divided by adjusted average capital.

(3)   The cost of capital includes both a cost of equity and a cost of debt.  The cost of equity capital is determined based on a formula that considers the risk of the business and the risk associated with our use of debt.  The formula utilized for determining the cost of equity capital is as follows: (the average 30-year treasury rate + 5%) + [(1 – tax rate) x (the average 30-year treasury rate + 5% – pre-tax average cost of debt rate) x average debt/(average equity + average debt x tax rate)].  For the periods presented, the average 30-year treasury rate and the adjusted pre-tax average cost of debt were as follows:

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Sept. 30, 2016 Jun. 30, 2016 Mar. 31, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Jun. 30, 2015
Average 30 year treasury rate 3.0% 2.8% 2.2% 2.6% 2.7% 3.0% 3.0% 2.8%
Adjusted pre-tax average cost of debt (4) 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.0% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2%

(4)   Annualized


Floating Yield Adjustment

The purpose of this non-GAAP adjustment is to modify the calculation of our GAAP-based finance charge revenue so that favorable and unfavorable changes in expected cash flows from loans receivable are treated consistently.  To make the adjustment understandable, we must first explain how GAAP requires us to account for finance charge revenue, our primary revenue source.

The finance charge revenue we will recognize over the life of the loan equals the cash inflows from our loan portfolio less cash outflows to acquire the loans.  Our GAAP finance charge revenue is based on estimates of future cash flows and is recognized on a level-yield basis over the estimated life of the loan.  With the level-yield approach, the amount of finance charge revenue recognized from a loan in a given period, divided by the loan asset, is a constant percentage.  Under GAAP, favorable changes in expected cash flows are treated as increases to the yield and are recognized over time, while unfavorable changes are recorded as a current period expense.  The non-GAAP methodology that we use (the “floating yield” method) is identical to the GAAP approach except that, under the “floating yield” method, all changes in expected cash flows (both positive and negative) are treated as yield adjustments and therefore impact earnings over time.  The GAAP treatment results in a lower carrying value of the loan receivable asset, but may result in either higher or lower earnings for any given period depending on the timing and amount of expected cash flow changes.

We believe the floating yield adjustment provides a more accurate reflection of the performance of our business, since both favorable and unfavorable changes in estimated cash flows are treated consistently.

Senior Notes Adjustment

On January 22, 2014, we issued $300.0 million of 6.125% senior notes due 2021 (the “2021 notes”) in a private offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. On February 21, 2014, we used the net proceeds from the 2021 notes, together with borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, to redeem in full the $350.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 9.125% senior notes due 2017 (the “2017 notes”). The purpose of this non-GAAP adjustment is to modify our GAAP financial results to treat the issuance of the 2021 notes as a refinancing of the 2017 notes.

Under GAAP, the redemption of the 2017 notes in the first quarter of 2014 required us to recognize a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $21.8 million. Under our non-GAAP approach, the loss on extinguishment of debt and additional interest expense that was recognized for GAAP purposes for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was deferred as a debt issuance cost and is being recognized ratably as interest expense over the term of the 2021 notes. In addition, for adjusted average capital purposes, the impact of additional outstanding debt related to the one month lag from the issuance of the 2021 notes to the redemption of the 2017 notes was deferred and is being recognized ratably over the term of the 2021 notes.

We believe the senior notes adjustment provides a more accurate reflection of the performance of our business, since we are recognizing the costs incurred with this transaction in a manner consistent with how we recognize the costs incurred when we periodically refinance our other debt facilities.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of our forward-looking statements.  Statements in this release that are not historical facts, such as those using terms like “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target” and those regarding our future results, plans and objectives, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  These forward-looking statements represent our outlook only as of the date of this release.  Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements since the statements are based on our current expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2017, other risk factors discussed herein or listed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the following:

  • Our inability to accurately forecast and estimate the amount and timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
  • We may be unable to execute our business strategy due to current economic conditions.
  • We may be unable to continue to access or renew funding sources and obtain capital needed to maintain and grow our business.
  • The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business.
  • A violation of the terms of our asset-backed secured financing facilities or revolving secured warehouse facilities could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
  • The conditions of the U.S. and international capital markets may adversely affect lenders with which we have relationships, causing us to incur additional costs and reducing our sources of liquidity, which may adversely affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.
  • Our substantial debt could negatively impact our business, prevent us from satisfying our debt obligations and adversely affect our financial condition.
  • Due to competition from traditional financing sources and non-traditional lenders, we may not be able to compete successfully.
  • We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding debt and fund operations and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such debt.
  • Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our borrowing costs, profitability and liquidity.
  • Reduction in our credit rating could increase the cost of our funding from, and restrict our access to, the capital markets and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
  • We may incur substantially more debt and other liabilities.  This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our current debt levels.
  • The regulation to which we are or may become subject could result in a material adverse effect on our business.
  • Adverse changes in economic conditions, the automobile or finance industries, or the non-prime consumer market could adversely affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations, the ability of key vendors that we depend on to supply us with services, and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
  • Litigation we are involved in from time to time may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
  • Changes in tax laws and the resolution of uncertain income tax matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
  • Our dependence on technology could have a material adverse effect on our business.
  • Our use of electronic contracts could impact our ability to perfect our ownership or security interest in Consumer Loans.
  • Reliance on third parties to administer our ancillary product offerings could adversely affect our business and financial results.
  • We are dependent on our senior management and the loss of any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional team members could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
  • Our reputation is a key asset to our business, and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.
  • The concentration of our dealers in several states could adversely affect us.
  • Failure to properly safeguard confidential consumer and team member information could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability and damage our reputation.
  • A small number of our shareholders have the ability to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval and such shareholders have interests which may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
  • Reliance on our outsourced business functions could adversely affect our business.
  • Our ability to hire and retain foreign information technology personnel could be hindered by immigration restrictions.
  • Natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or the escalation of military activity in response to these attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other factors not currently anticipated by management may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter our statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Description of Credit Acceptance Corporation

Since 1972, Credit Acceptance has offered financing programs that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history.  Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.

Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles or they purchase unreliable ones.  Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol CACC.  For more information, visit creditacceptance.com.


CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2017 2016
Revenue:   
Finance charges$238.0  $202.8 
Premiums earned10.1  10.8 
Other income14.7  14.3 
Total revenue262.8  227.9 
Costs and expenses:   
Salaries and wages35.5  32.7 
General and administrative13.9  12.1 
Sales and marketing15.1  13.7 
Provision for credit losses20.5  22.1 
Interest27.6  22.1 
Provision for claims6.0  6.8 
Total costs and expenses118.6  109.5 
Income before provision for income taxes144.2  118.4 
Provision for income taxes50.9  44.0 
Net income$93.3  $74.4 
    
Net income per share:   
Basic$4.73  $3.64 
Diluted$4.72  $3.63 
    
Weighted average shares outstanding:   
Basic19,722,491  20,435,201 
Diluted19,772,658  20,485,832 



CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)As of
 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$11.1  $14.6 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents316.7  224.7 
Restricted securities available for sale46.7  45.3 
    
Loans receivable (including $0.0 and $1.4 from affiliates as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)4,474.0  4,207.0 
Allowance for credit losses(338.0) (320.4)
Loans receivable, net4,136.0  3,886.6 
    
Property and equipment, net19.8  18.2 
Income taxes receivable3.2  2.3 
Other assets23.2  26.3 
Total Assets$4,556.7  $4,218.0 
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:   
Liabilities:   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$141.3  $143.9 
Revolving secured line of credit134.1  — 
Secured financing2,229.5  2,062.4 
Senior notes541.7  541.3 
Deferred income taxes, net313.4  273.1 
Income taxes payable32.9  23.6 
Total Liabilities3,392.9  3,044.3 
    
Shareholders' Equity:   
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued—  — 
Common stock, $.01 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 19,392,155 and 19,877,381 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively0.2  0.2 
Paid-in capital132.6  131.7 
Retained earnings1,031.1  1,042.0 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(0.1) (0.2)
Total Shareholders' Equity1,163.8  1,173.7 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$4,556.7  $4,218.0 



            








        

            

                

                    
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